Overflowing above-ground swimming pool

ABSTRACT

Above-ground swimming pool, comprising at least one basin ( 1 ), consisting of a waterproof sheet ( 9 ) and of a supporting structure ( 2 ), further comprising an overflowing channel ( 3 ) contained in a space (V) of said supporting structure ( 2 ) defined between first support means, adjacent to said basin ( 1 ), and second support means, external to said first support means. The overflowing channel ( 3 ) may consists of an impermeable sheet ( 10 ) hooked to the supporting structure ( 2 ).

The present invention relates to an overflowing above-ground swimmingpool.

Known above-ground swimming pools essentially comprise a basin,consisting of a waterproof sheet, and a supporting structure.

Said supporting structure is usually realized by means of a wall oftubular or beam elements, connected by joints or hinges, and/or by meansof metal plates or similar.

Such swimming pools are particularly appreciated for their low cost andeasy installation, compared to underground swimming pools of the samedimensions.

Known above-ground swimming pools have a raised edge, that is to say,they are filled up to a level a few centimetres below the upper edge ofthe sheet, so as to avoid overflow of the water during the use of theswimming pool.

A water purification circuit is provided, that usually comprises atleast a skimmer, through which the water of the swimming pool flows, afilter, one or more inlet openings into the basin and a pump.

The technique of realizing overflowing swimming pools is also known, inthe field of underground swimming pools.

Such swimming pools comprise an overflowing channel along theirperimetral edge, connected to a water purification and recirculationcircuit, and are filled up to said edge, so as to obtain a continuosskimming of the water, which falls from the basin into the overflowingchannel and, through said channel, is led to the purification andrecirculation circuit.

Said circuit usually comprises an external accumulation and compensationreservoir, a pump, a physical-mechanical filter—for example a cartridgefilter or a sand filter—pipes and inlet openings leading purified waterinto the basin.

Overflowing swimming pools are more hygienic than swimming pools withraised edge, because dirt and floating impurities are continuouslyremoved by the overflowing water; they are particularly suited forswimming competitions because the waves do not reflect at the edges;furthermore, they are better looking because they create an opticaleffect that seems to broaden the dimensions of the swimming pool itself.

However, underground swimming pools are very expensive, require longrealization times, and are not always realizable, depending on thefeatures of the ground.

It must also be considered that overflowing swimming pools must beperfectly leveled so as to avoid that overflowing occurs only along alimited portion of the perimetrical edge, and this further increase therealization costs.

The known technique used in the field of the above-ground swimming poolsdoes not allow the realization of overflowing swimming pools,essentially because the supporting structures of the known above-groundswimming pools are not suitable and do not allow to realize theoverflowing channel around the basin of the swimming pool.

On the other hand, the structures and the techniques for the realizationof underground overflowing swimming pools can not be used to realizeabove-ground overflowing swimming pools, because of their high cost andbecause these structures are designed to be undergrounded and surroundedwith filling means such as sand or gravel, and therefore would notwithstand the pressure of the water in above-ground installations.

The aim of the present invention to solve said inconveniences.

The first aim of the invention is to realize an overflowing above-groundswimming having both the advantages of an overflowing swimming pool andof an above-ground swimming pool.

A further aim of the invention is to realize an overflowing above-groundswimming pool that does not require the presence of an externalcompensation reservoir, further reducing the installation costs.

Another aim of the invention is to realize an overflowing above-groundswimming pool with a particularly efficient water purification system,that does not require high energy consumption for pumping therecirculated water.

Still another aim of the invention is to realize an overflowingabove-ground swimming pool that may be installed almost everywhere andon any ground, in an easy and quick manner, and in particular that maybe easily levelled to the ground.

Therefore, an aim of the present invention is to realize an economicaloverflowing above-ground swimming pool, having a light structure foreasy transportation, easy to install, easy to disassemble for removingor displacing or for periods in which the swimming pool is not used.

These aims and others that will be more evident hereinafter, areachieved by the invention, consisting of an above-ground swimming pool,comprising at least one basin, consisting of an impermeable sheet, and asupporting structure, characterized in that it comprises an overflowingchannel contained in a space of said supporting structure definedbetween first internal supporting means, adjacent to said basin, andsecond supporting means, external to the first ones.

The main advantage consists in that by means of the present invention itis possible to realize an overflowing above-ground swimming pool, stillhaving the easy installation, the light structure, the possibility ofdisassembling and the low cost of the known above-ground swimming pools.

In order to reduce installation costs and spaces, the overflowingchannel is also realized with a waterproof sheet, and it may containenough water to act as an accumulation and compensation reservoir.

The presence of a large overflowing channel furthermore allows torealize a gravity filter by means of a filtering sheet, placed in saidoverflowing channel obtaining efficient water purification without usinga filtering circuit that would require high pumping power.

For making the supporting structure of the swimming pool light, low-costand easy to assemble, said structure comprises two parallel lines ofvertical rods, realized with tubular or beam elements connected by crossmembers, with fixed joints or hinges.

For making easier the installation and in particular the levelling tothe ground, said structure further comprises adjustable ground supports.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description, referring to some preferredembodiments showed in the enclosed figures, by way of non-limitativeexample.

FIG. 1 shows a portion of an overflowing above-ground swimming poolaccording to the present invention, in a perspective schematical view.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the supporting structure of theswimming pool of FIG. 1, according to plane II-II of said figure.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of the inner wall of the supporting structure ofthe swimming pool according to FIG. 1, in a front view.

FIG. 4 shows a section of the structure of the swimming pool accordingto FIG. 1, according to a plane parallel to the horizontal plane.

FIG. 5 shows, in a scheme, the structure of the swimming pool accordingto FIG. 1, in a section according to a vertical plane.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show more in detail some realization detail relative tosome preferred embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to the above figures, the present invention relates to anoverflowing above-ground swimming pool, mainly comprising a basin 1consisting of a waterproof sheet 9, and a supporting structure 2.

Said basin 1 is realized, for example by means of a fabric sheet, madeof polyester fibre coated with PVC or polyurethane.

The swimming pool, according to the invention, comprises an overflowingchannel 3 contained in a space V of the supporting structure 2, definedby first internal support means, adjacent to said basin 1, and by secondsupport means external to said first ones.

In a preferred embodiment, said support means are obtained by means oftwo rows of vertical rods 2′ and 2″, following the perimeter of thebasin itself.

Said overflowing channel 3 is advantageously realized with animpermeable sheet 10, similar to the one used for said basin 1, and itcan contain enough water to act also as a water accumulation andcompensation basin for said swimming pool.

The use of two different sheets for the basin 1 and the overflowingchannel 3 is preferred, the transport and installation of the swimmingpool being easier; however, in another embodiment (not shown), it ispossible to realize the basin 1 and the overflowing channel 3 with thesame sheet hooked to said supporting structure 2, i.e. sheets 9 and 10may be regarded as two portions of a single sheet.

The overflowing channel 3 is connected to a recirculation circuit 13 forreintroducing into said basin 1 the water continuously overflowing intosaid channel, said recirculation circuit comprising at least one pump P,flexible pipes 14 and inlet openings 15.

An automatic system for the control of the water level in theoverflowing channel 3, comprising a level sensor that controls atopping-up valve, of known kind, may also be provided.

The recirculation circuit 13 may comprise some known purification means,like sand filters or cartridge filters; however, in a preferredembodiment, the overflowing swimming pool comprises a gravity filteraccording to the Italian patent application No. CR2002A000013 of thesame applicant.

Said gravity filter is realized by means of a filtering sheet 12, placedin the overflowing channel 3, between the water level of the basin 1 andthe water level of said channel, so as to be crossed by the water thatflows from said basin 1 into said channel.

This filter is very efficient, because the water flows through it at avery low speed; furthermore, it is separated from the recirculationcircuit 13 and does not cause any head loss, allowing the use of aneconomical, low-head water pump that reduces costs and energyconsumption.

The filtering sheet 12 is hooked to the sides of the overflowing channel3 so as to be easily removed for periodical cleaning and replacing.

These and other advantages deriving from the use of this filter aredescribed more in detail in the cited patent application.

The portion of the space V below the overflowing channel 3 may containaccessory elements, like the flexible pipes 14 and the pump P of therecirculation circuit 13, or other accessories.

The supporting structure 2 comprises ground supports 6 which,advantageously, allow height adjustement when the structure is alreadyassembled, to level the basin 1 horizontally.

Said structure advantageously comprises also a continuous, essentiallyplain and rigid surface S1, that gives lateral support to the sheet 9and realizes an inner rigid wall around said basin 1.

The presence of a rigid wall around said basin 1 is useful, for example,to turn during swimming competitions.

Similarly, said structure 2 may comprise an outer surface S2 giving acontinuous support for the junction of the sheet 10, or for closing thespace V towards the outside.

A grated gangway 16, or other pedestrian covering, is provided along theperimeter of the basin 1, closing the top of the overflowing channel 3.Further elements suitable for a comfortable use or for safety, like ahandrail or a ladder, are not shown.

Relating in particular to the preferred embodiment shown in the enclosedfigures, the structure 2 comprises vertical rods 2′ and 2″ connected bycross elements 4 and struts 5, placed at a suitable distance one fromthe other according to the loads.

Said vertical rods 2′ and 2″ are supported by a threaded bar 8 by meansof regulation nuts 7. Said threaded bar is fixed to a plate 31 restingon the ground.

The structure 2 also comprises panels 11, fixed to the vertical rods 2′and 2″ on the longitudinal plane, that form said surfaces S1 and S2.

As it can be seen better from FIG. 4, vertical rods 2′ and 2″ are omega(Ω) shaped, with a central, C-shaped part and lateral edges 30, ontowhich said panels 11 are resting.

These latter are fixed to the vertical rods, on the sides of the centralC-shaped part, by means of screws or bolts, not shown.

The vertical rods 2′ and 2″ are specular, and the cross elements 4 arerealized with C-shaped beams or similar, fixed to said vertical rods forexample with screws.

Further reinforcing bars, placed on the longitudinal plane, may be fixedor screwed to the edges 30 of the vertical rods 2′ or 2″, in order tostrengthen the structure.

Vertical rods 2′ and 2″ are preferably made of galvanized steel, forobtaining a light and low-cost structure, resistant to corrosion andatmospheric agents.

Panels 11 may also be realized with folded galvanized steel plate,according to FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show two solutions for obtaining the hooking of sheets 9and 10 and of the filtering sheet 12.

According to FIG. 6, stop ropes 17 are fixed to the edges of the sheets9 and 10 by means of a cuff of the sheets welded or sewed on itself.

The edges of the sheets are then hooked to the supporting structure 2with a metal beam 18, adapted to retain said ropes 17, fixed to thesupporting structure 2 by means of screws 19.

Said metal beam 18 has also a flange 20, adapted to support the gangway16.

An edge 21 of impermeable sheet, welded to said sheet 9, covers the beam18 for making the passage between the basin 1 and the overflowingchannel 3 impermeable to water.

The filtering sheet 12 comprises, at its edges, stop ropes 22, andreversible hooking means for said sheet are provided, realized withrotating hooks 23 connected to said beam 18.

Said rotating hooks 23 may be transversally rotated referring to saidoverflowing channel 3, to block the edges of said filtering sheet 12, orthey may be longitudinally rotated referring to said channel, leavingthe edges of said filtering sheet 12 free for installation or removalthereof.

According to FIG. 7, on the other hand, the sheet 9 is hooked by meansof a longitudinal blocking element 24, fixed to the supporting structure2 by means of screws or bolts 25, and also in this case it comprises aretaining rope 17 for preventing the sheet from slipping.

In this case, the sheet 10 is directly welded to the sheet 9, while thesheet 12 is reversibly hooked by means of a joint 26 comprising a beam27, into which the edges of said sheet 12 and an edge 28 of said sheetare hooked, welded to said sheet 10.

Said beam 27 is advantageously made of aluminium, in sections about onemeter long.

A further sheet 29 forms a deflector for the overflowing water and leadsit on the filtering sheet 12.

It is evident that other hooking means for the sheets may be used,according to the technique known in the field of above-ground swimmingpools.

When the basin 1 is filled up with water, the hydrostatic pressuregenerates a horizontal force which, according to the dimensions of theswimming pool, may be considerable and may induce an overturning of thestructure.

In these cases, inner vertical rods 2′ should be fixed to the ground towithstand traction forces, or linked each other by means of rigid beamelements at the base of the supporting structure 2.

A solution for preventing the overturning force on the supportingstructure 2 consists in realizing sheet 9 of suitable dimension so that,once filled with water, said sheet behaves like a tensostructure,assuming a shape similar to the one shown in FIG. 1 and schematicallyshown also in FIG. 5.

Thanks to this behaviour of the sheet 9, the tension of the sheetbalances, at least partially, the hydrostatic pressure in the horizontaldirection, and a vertical load, equal to the tension of the sheet 9, isdischarged to the supporting structure 2.

Thus the danger of overturning of the structure is avoided, as well asthe need of linking the vertical rods to the ground so as to resist totraction forces.

The invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations,all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; all thedetails may also be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible withthe specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according torequirements and to the state of the art.

1. An above-ground swimming pool, comprising at least one basin (1),consisting of a waterproof sheet (9) and of a supporting structure (2),characterized in that it comprises an overflowing channel (3) containedin a space (V) of said supporting structure (2) defined between firstinner support means, adjacent to said basin (1), and second supportmeans, external to said first ones.
 2. A swimming pool according toclaim 1, characterized in that said overflowing channel (3) is adaptedto contain enough water to work as an accumulation and compensationbasin for said swimming pool.
 3. A swimming pool according to claim 1,characterized in that said overflowing channel (3) consists of animpermeable sheet (10) hooked to said supporting structure (2).
 4. Aswimming pool according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises afiltering sheet (12), placed in said overflowing channel (3) between thewater level of said basin (1) and the water level of said channel (3),so as to realize a gravity filter for the water flowing from said basin(1) into said channel (3).
 5. A swimming pool according to claim 1,characterized in that said supporting structure (2) comprises groundsupports (6) that may be adjusted in height.
 6. A swimming poolaccording to claim 1, characterized in that accessory elements (13, 14,P) of said swimming pool are housed in that portion of said space (V),placed below said overflowing channel (3).
 7. A swimming pool accordingto claim 1, characterized in that said supporting structure (2)comprises lateral surfaces (S1, S2) essentially plane and rigid,realized by means of panels (11).
 8. A swimming pool according to claim7, characterized in that said first inner and second external supportmeans of said supporting structure (2) comprise two parallel lines ofvertical rods (2′, 2″).
 9. A swimming pool according to claim 8,characterized in that said vertical rods (2′, 2″) have an omega-shapedsection, with a central C-shaped portion to which said panels (11) arefixed, and lateral edges (22) forming support planes of said panels(11).
 10. A swimming pool according to claim 3, characterized in thatsaid sheets (9, 10) comprise retaining ropes (17) for the fixing bymeans of hooking means (18, 24) connected to said supporting structure(2).
 11. A swimming pool according to claim 1, characterized in thatsaid sheet (9) has such dimensions as to get placed, when it is filledup with water, according to a curved shape, such that the tension ofsaid sheet (9) may balance, at least partially, the hydrostatic pressureof the water contained in said basin (1) and determines a vertical loadon said supporting structure (2).
 12. A swimming pool according to claim1, characterized in that said supporting structure (2) is made ofgalvanized steel.
 13. A swimming pool according to claim 1,characterized in that said first inner and second external support meansof said supporting structure (2) comprise two parallel lines of verticalrods (2′, 2″).